The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-11-09
A POLITICAL MANIFESTO.
Gov. McEnery Denounced fer Pro
tecting Life and Property.
knights Of Labor Who Propose to
Strike Down the Sugar
Industry.
SANCTUARY DISTRICT ASSEMBLY,
No. l02, Knights Of Labor,
New Orleans. Nov ii 1897 \

New Orleans, Nov. ii, 1871
At meeting Of District Assembly No. IO2,
Rnights Of Labor, Held on the above date,
the following preamble and resolutions were
unanimously adopted and ordered pub
hshed:
=, Whereas, it has come to the knowledge of
this district assembly, officially and through
the daily PRESS that a. circular emanating
from, the Joint Local Executive Board,
knights of Labor, parish Of Laf0uTche, ask
ing an increase IN wages, in conformity with
scale of wages established by District As
senbiy no. 1874, was presented to the sugar
planters: and
Whereas, said circular, couched in re-
speetfui and courteous language, Was entire
ly ignored by said planters and treated with
contempt; and
Whereas, said planters, IN meeting as-
sembled, did agree to earnestly combine and
resolve that under 40 circumstances would
they recognize any Dor organization or pay
the wages, or to the manner OF payment,
asked for in the circular; and that said
planters did further resolve to eject all of
their employees who would go Oh strike, from
their plantations, and blacklist aaid en-
ployes; and
Whereas, without color of authority or ne
cessity, the Chief Executive Of the State Of
Louisiana ordered out State troops to, en-
force the aggressive and arbitrary Will of
said planters: and
tiyes or police, did arrest certain OF the
laborGrs: and
Whereas, we are informed that said sheriff'a
posse, detectives or police. backed by State
troops, killed four or more labsrers without
provncation, while said laborers were under
arrest: and
whereas. we are reliably informed that the
laborefs were ready to leave, and dld leave
the plantations whenever requested; there
Rcsoimd, That it is our belief that said
laborers in the employ of the aforesaid
sugar planters in the parish OF Lafourche
and adjoining parishes, had no other re-
course to obtain their Just demand, but to
discontinue work until their demands were
satisfied or hearing given them. BE 1t fur
thers
Resolred, That we condemn and censure
the actions of the Chief Executive. of the
State, Samuel D. McGnery, in ordering out
the State troops to be uncalled fol,, and with
out authority or precedent, and that we ad-
Glonish the Governor OF the State Of Louis
Lana that he ahall not override the rights of
Der citizens to peaceably assemble AID ask q
Fair compensation for their honest labor: and
that he must respect the Constitution and
laws Of this STATE, and cease the offensive dis
play or use OF military force during q con-
tloYeTsy between employer and employe,
when 10 attempt is made or intended to
violate laN and the peace and the dignity of
tue State. Be it further
Resotged, That from information in our
possession we believe that the law!oss de-
sErEcjion oil human life by the armed force
employed WAS assassination, and We pro-
no6uce against il and demand that the legal
constituted authorities, by the process of
law % thoroughly Investigate the killing Of
the laboTers at Pattersonvllie, and bring the
5layers before the bar OF justice for such
punishment as they may be found deserving.
BE It further
RsSotred, That as District Assembly 1o2
and the whole order of the knights of
Labor lsve pronounced in unmiStakable
language against Anarchy aud the unlawful
taking OF human life, we also pronounce
against any armed force of men, whether
sheriffs posses, detectives, police or military
troops, taxing the life Of ino,ffensive citizens
while peacefully exercising their rights.
be It further resolved, That this Dis
trict Assembly, in unmeasured terms
depiGres the actions of the Pianters' Assoc
citation, and in deploriDg we give them
fair warming that when Greek meets
Greek then comes the tug Of war; And
we VIII Mt once appeal TO our millions of
yorlinsIner to ask at the hands OF Com
g'raSs the repeal OF the duties On sugar,
wAich will in the end bring them to
sense nj Justice and OF the rights Of others
and benefit the whole people of these
United Ststes.
Re i .JuTtj,er resoFred, That this District As
selnbly appoint committee to immediately
Investigate all matters concerned, herewith
expressed In these resolutions and see that
perfect justice ia done; and that this District
Assembly use every endeavor to assist the
committee in the furtherGnce of this Object.
Board take such steps as will materially aid
the committee IN accomplishing the end
EOught for, and that We pledge orr entire
moral and financial support III this direction.